There is no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic halted a lot of businesses from operating, and this applies to commercial and residential constructions and designs. However, in its second year, the construction projects especially those airports that were put on hold during several lockdowns are now mostly resuming. The general contractors San Francisco and other specialized contractors all around the U.S are now in-demand to provide quality service in a short span to catch up on these changes.  

Especially in the air industry, there is now a need to expedite construction because several flights have been resuming and more people are going to places for business trips and travel. But how does the pandemic change airport construction and designs over the past two years?  

1. Adaptable Terminals  

In newly-built terminals, expect vacuous spaces that will provide distance between travelers and passengers as well as the flexibility to adapt to new necessities and uses. Adaptable spaces are extremely utilizable in making airport changes whenever emergencies happen and new policies need to be followed. Additionally, adaptable terminals also offer better ventilation that is able to filter germs and viruses and give more improved indoor air. Health response teams, as well as health clinics, will also be present for emergency situations like the presence of infectious agents and biological toxins.   

2. Automatic Transactions  

Automation is never new. In fact, airlines and airports had been making technological plans to reduce, if not completely eliminate, unnecessary interactions between travelers and employees via printed luggage tags and tickets, remote check-ins, and more. The pandemic has made these changes even more necessary. Facial recognition for passport controls was made, robot workers were employed, and smart restrooms were installed in some airlines and airports. In addition, applications that allow travelers and passengers to order food, as well as robots that bring the food, are now made. If there is one thing that the pandemic taught us, it is the need to minimize physical contact and our technology is gearing towards that.   

3. Cargo Necessities   

Online shopping has become the trend amid this pandemic. Brick and mortar stores were shut close and this made online buy and sell so relevant and prevalent. As a result, the demand for air cargo services skyrocketed and airports are now adding cargo amenities as some shipping companies demand more cargo capacity. This also creates more revenues for all businesses involved.   

4. Economic and Environmental Concerns  

Climate activists have been thwarting, and even halting airport constructions. In fact, anti-airport protests have caused some pushbacks in some new airport constructions like Florida, California, New Mexico, Illinois, and Hawaii. As a result, new companies are necessitated to create a more sustainable plan when making airport projects. In 2022, Pittsburgh International made efforts to make its own energy through natural gas microgrid and solar pane, making it the first company in the world to make such efforts. Other airports like in Las Vegas are using self-tinting glass to reduce cooling energy and bill.   

CONCLUSION 

With a lot of things that have happened, and are still happening, several industries are necessitated to make adjustments, and in the following years, we will be able to see more high-technological installments and facilities not just in airlines and airports, but also in different spaces we go to.